Top Things to do when you visit Gifu (Hida Takayama and Shirakawago)

Located in the center of Japan, Gifu, a city that has all the natural beauty and also historical roots. It is well-known for the UNESCO World Heritage gassho-zukuri village of Shirakawa-go in Takayama. A lot of tourists visit here during winter for the light-up event with amazing snow landscape. You can just take bus from Takayama to Shirakawago and plan another trip to Kanazawa. However, you should not miss to visit Takayama city. From morning market by the miyakawa, Takayama Jinya to Hida Kokubunji Temple, These spots bring you the true Hida. Also, if you have time, you can also visit Furui Machinami and Gujo Hachiman to get to know how it feel like to live like real traditional local lifestyle back in Edo period.

Lastly, don't forget to the famous Onsen, Gero Onsen. It is to be considered as one of Japan's three best onsen by the Confucian poet Hayashi Razan. Located between Nagoya and Takayama, Gero is only one hour away from Takayama. So a relaxing spa trip will be perfect end for your Gifu trip!

Gero Onsen, located in the Hidagawa River valley, is one of Japan’s most famous hot springs. It has been flourishing since the Edo Era. The water is very gentle on the skin, so your skin feels smooth when you rise up from the bath. It is popular for its benefits for beautiful skin.

Gifu Castle has been occupied by military commanders such as Dosan Saito and Nobunaga Oda. From the castle keep, a panoramic view of the city of Gifu and Ise Bay can be seen in the distance. It is also famous for its night view.

Gujo Hachiman is situated in the center of Gifu Prefecture. It is a town which even now has the atmosphere of an ancient castle town. There are canals winding throughout the town, and you can catch a glimpse of the unique culture of a town boasting the purest of waters.

Takayama Jinya served as the offices for the magistrate of the Tokugawa shogunate and regional administrator during the Edo Era. It is now the only remaining outpost surviving, among the 66 administrative outposts of its kind, which existed nationwide in that Edo Era.

An open-air museum of thatched roof houses. They were no longer being used in their original location of Shirakawa Village/Kazura District, and were moved to their current location. Along with seeing the residences, you can also experience the making “wara-zori” straw sandals and “soba” noodles.

The ropeway has a total length of 3200ｍ and spans an altitude of 1039ｍ. From the observation platform at 2156ｍ, you can enjoy the mountains of the Northern Alps like Mount Nishi-Hotaka, Mount Yarigatake and Mount Kasagatake.

Furui Machinami (Old Town), located to the east of Miyagawa river, is the most popular area in Takayama. It’s just 10 minutes on foot from Takayama Station. Stores selling famous products of Takayama stand in a row on the narrow streets. Walking through the area while eating something delicious is also part of the fun.

Shirakawago is nestled obscurely in the mountains. The villagers continue on with their old style of life in their distinctive “gassho-zukuri” houses. It is a precious area, an unspoiled landscape reminiscent of a nostalgic Japan.

Hida Folk Village is made up of Minzoku Mura with its valuable relocated or restored Japanese-style houses, and Hida-no-Sato with its thatched roof houses. You can observe the seasonal events in the Hida area as well as the way of life in this farming community.

Takayama is also known as the city with the largest surface area, in Japan. In the center of the city, the castle town and the merchant quarter, existing since the Edo Era, have been preserved so you can enjoy a stroll through history.